Michael Totten is an independent journalist that writes on middle east politics. He is currently embedded with US forces in Iraq.

“Violence has declined so sharply in Ramadi that few journalists bother to visit these days. Itâ€™s â€œboring,â€ most say, and itâ€™s hard to get a story out there â€“ especially for daily news reporters who need fresh scoops every day. Unlike most journalists, I am not a slave to the daily news grind and took the time to embed with the Army and Marines in late summer.”

The article is rather long but worth reading – especially for the wonderful photos.